What heads are you currently using?

[DSOP]

10x8, 14x14, 22x18. Standard 14x5.5 snare.

I've got a 12x9 and a 16x16, but only bust those out every now and then..

In that case, I suggest the coated clear dot on top. It feels just like a regular coated, but the lower frequencies are emphasized a tiny bit. The clear dot is thinner than the black or white dot. They're not stocked anywhere regularly, but they can be found at some online retailers.

Info on Remo site: http://www.remo.com/portal/products/3/8 ... sound.html

The reason I asked about the diameter is that these heads are only available in 10, 12, 13 and 14. Other sizes would be custom order only.

For the bass drum, it looks like you're happy with the coated ambassador. I personally use the clear ambassador (on a 22 by 16) and I like it a lot.

[YamahaPlayer]

How do you know the clear dot is thinner then the black or white dot?

It appears clear dots are (at least on MusiciansFriend) only in sizes 13 and 14, very odd also expensive.


You could go totally Tony Williams and CS dots on the tops and bottoms!

[Patrick Tiglao]

Clear Evans G2's on the Toms ,Clear Reso heads for the bottoms
Clear Powerstroke3 on the BD
Coated Amb on the Snare.

I used to go Coated all the way around but I figured I'd try something different..I'm thinking of making one kit coated and one kit clear.

Those Coated Dots are worth checking out.

[DSOP]

How do you know the clear dot is thinner then the black or white dot?

I asked a product specialist at Remo. It's also visibly apparent when you compare them side by side. They can be ordered through any music retail outlet. You can even special order custom heads. I was thinking of getting them to make me some clear ambassadors with clear dots on the underside.

[YamahaPlayer]

I asked a product specialist at Remo. It's also visibly apparent when you compare them side by side. They can be ordered through any music retail outlet. You can even special order custom heads. I was thinking of getting them to make me some clear ambassadors with clear dots on the underside.

Not sure how you can see a thickness difference of that small (you're going to naked eye less then .5 millimeter differences?!?!) plus given the additional color difference - AND the 1/2" rim depth issue. But ok. Maybe a career in rework is ahead for you.


Yes, Remo does custom heads, enjoy paying $50+ a head though. I can't possibly see how the difference in price even closely equates to the difference between a black dot and a clear dot in sound.

In fact, I'd bet with a blind A/B test nobody would know the difference.

[DSOP]

Not sure how you can see a thickness difference of that small (you're going to naked eye less then .5 millimeter differences?!?!) plus given the additional color difference - AND the 1/2" rim depth issue. But ok. Maybe a career in rework is ahead for you.

Like I said previously, a Remo product specialist told me about the difference in thickness. I was not aware of the difference until he told me. At that time I casually inspected them side by side and the black dot indeed appears thicker. There is definitely a difference in feel (as well as tone) between a black dot and a clear dot (when the dots are on the surface). When playing under stage lights or outdoors in the sun, the black dots tend to get pretty warm too, and that can affect things as well.

With the dots underneath the head, the feel isn't changed as much as when the dots are on the surface. The fact that the clear dot is a bit thinner makes its affect overall much more subtle.

Not sure what you mean by career in rework.

[matthughen]

Single headed BD and FT with pins and double headed blackdots on the 12 and 13. It aint a jazz kit!

[YamahaPlayer]

Eh, was just saying...

Not sure what you mean by career in rework.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rework_%28electronics%29


If you do get custom heads, let us know the prices.

Not sure the rate you go through heads, but even $10/head starts adding up for me after a time.

[DSOP]

Not sure the rate you go through heads, but even $10/head starts adding up for me after a time.

I don't go through heads very quickly. I do like to put fresh ones on for the best recording results, but that isn't very often. And I don't expect to order custom heads anytime soon. There are enough options out there already. I switch between clear and coated ambassadors or CS heads all around. Lately it's been clear ambassadors. I actually like clear ambassadors on the snare too (although I haven't done that in a while), but usually go with a coated clear dot.

For the bottom of my snare, I always use the marching drum version of the ambassador snare side head, which is clear (as opposed to hazy) and has no collar. You can crank it tight and it doesn't stretch out as fast as the hazy version. I even think that it has less snare buzz, but I haven't done an A-B test to compare.

Re: the circuit boards.... I once took a job when I was young, and it was for a company manufacturing printed circuit boards. My job was to take the board, dip it in very hot oil (over 150 degrees or something - I wore thick rubber safety gloves), and then scrub them clean with a brush.

At lunch break I left and went home. I didn't even tell them that I quit. I returned the next day for my half-day's pay too.

[Isaac Lee]

Remo Vintage Emps. Nuff said.